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Glossary of Terms - Page 2 Encryption A security measure by way of encoding information or message so that it cannot be read without the person receiving it applying the relevant de-cryption 'key' to unscramble the data. FAQ Acronym for Frequently Asked Questions, usually appearing in the Help sections of websites to answer the most common questions on a particular subject. Firewall A firewall is a protective software screen placed between a user's internal computer or network and the Internet. Firewalls can be programmed to restrict the type of messages and/or data allowed to pass in and out of the network; they are also aimed at excluding would-be intruders and hackers. Gateway A gateway refers to an internal device that allows incompatible applications or networks to communicate and transfer data. E-mail gateways are common, allowing messages to travel between private and public systems. HTML Acronym for Hypertext Markup Language, the computer language used to create and structure documents used on the web. Host A host is a network computer that hosts various services, e.g. e-mail and Internet access. IP Address / Hostname An IP address is a unique numerical address assigned to each and every computer that is directly connected to the Internet, similarly with the Hostname. This data and address are assigned by a central organisation (InterNIC) The IP address consists of 4 groups of 3 numbers, e.g. 123.456.789.012 The Hostname, e.g. letsgetpersonal.co.uk Internet Service Provider Internet Service Providers, (ISP's), are those remote computer system companies through which you connect your computer to the Internet and e-mail services. ISP's offer a differing range of services, from dial-up to broadband, from pay-as-you-go to monthly billing. The choice is wide, but one thing certain – every user wishing to access e-mail and internet must sign up with an ISP! JPEG A digital imaging format that processes images using an agreed compression standard. The acronym stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, and the file extension is .JPG Login Name The account name used to access a computer system. Often used in conjunction with a Password, it is the way that users identify themselves to software programs, ISP's or other online services. Also known as User Name. Navigation Bar The area on a website page containing tools that helps users to navigate around the site. Located either at the top or the bottom of each page, users can access various tools and also move between pages, jump to the top of a page, return to the Home Page etc. Network A network comprises two or more computers, connected to each other so that they can share resources. The Internet is the biggest network of them all. Password A password is a code of letters and/or numbers used to gain access to restricted areas on a computer network. Passwords only identify that the user has the correct key to gain access; they do not define whether the user is authorised to possess that password. To enhance password security, change your password frequently, assign numbers and letters and don't disclose it to anyone. |
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